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CEGL003562 Ceanothus megacarpus Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bigpod Ceanothus Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association occurs on moderate to steep slopes of variable aspect at low elevations between 53 and 730 m. It is characterized by a strong dominance of Ceanothus megacarpus in the shrub layer and an uncharacteristic and insignificant herbaceous layer. The emergent tree layer may include Quercus agrifolia, Umbellularia californica, and Juglans californica.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association has only been described from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Until further inventory is completed, there is no global information.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: It is characterized by a strong dominance of Ceanothus megacarpus in the shrub layer and an uncharacteristic and insignificant herbaceous layer. The emergent tree layer may include Quercus agrifolia, Umbellularia californica, and Juglans californica. Based on 14 plots sampled in the Santa Ynez Mountains of Santa Barbara County, Borchert et al. (2004) add this information to the local description. Ceanothus megacarpus dominates with an average cover of 73%. Chamise and hollyleaf cherry have constancies >50%, but their average covers are <10%.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This additional information from Borchert et al. (2004) probably largely applies to the Ceanothus megacarpus association: The bigpod ceanothus alliance is the dominant vegetation type on ocean-facing (south-facing) slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Stands mostly occupy south- and east-facing, upper and middle slopes between elevations of 482 and 1023 m. Slopes generally are >45%.
Geographic Range: This association is only known from the Santa Monica Mountains region. It is likely to occur somewhat further north and south in south coastal California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.789942
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.1 Mediterranean Scrub & Grassland Formation | F038 | 2.B.1 |
| Division | 2.B.1.Na Californian Scrub & Grassland Division | D327 | 2.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.1.Na.1 Chamise - Whiteleaf Manzanita - Scrub Oak Chaparral Macrogroup | M043 | 2.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.B.1.Na.1.a Chamise - Buckbrush - Sticky Whiteleaf Manzanita Xeric Chaparral Group | G257 | 2.B.1.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A3864 Hoaryleaf Ceanothus - Bigpod Ceanothus Chaparral Alliance | A3864 | 2.B.1.Na.1.a |
| Association | CEGL003562 Bigpod Ceanothus Shrubland | CEGL003562 | 2.B.1.Na.1.a |
Concept Lineage: The provisional/placeholder CEGL003031 has been replaced with several new types: CEGL003562, CEGL003565, CEGL003566, CEGL003567, and CEGL003574.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ceanothus megacarpus (Sawyer et al. 2009) [37.201.01]
= Ceanothus megacarpus Alliance (Borchert et al. 2004)
= Ceanothus megacarpus Chaparral (#37840) (Holland 1986b)
= Ceanothus megacarpus Shrubland Association (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
= Ceanothus megacarpus Alliance (Borchert et al. 2004)
= Ceanothus megacarpus Chaparral (#37840) (Holland 1986b)
= Ceanothus megacarpus Shrubland Association (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
- Borchert, M., A. Lopez, C. Bauer, and T. Knowd. 2004. Field guide to coastal sage scrub and chaparral series of Los Padres National Forest. Report R5-TP-019. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, San Francisco, CA.
- Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., and J. Evens. 2006. Vegetation classification of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and environs in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, California. A report submitted to National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch and The California Native Plant Society, Vegetation Program, Sacramento, CA.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.